Sunday, February 14, 2016

After four years of failing and succeeding, creating new roadmaps for
manufacturing in war zones, employing former drug runners, educating
women, clearing land mines, and supporting veterans, Combat Flip Flops
has succeeded in winning the hearts and minds of three of today’s most
prominent investors and Shark Tank’s self-made millionaires. Mark
Cuban, Daymond John and Lori Greiner made a deal of $300,000 for 30%
equity in Combat Flip Flops, spread equally between the three
investors.
“Having our mission of ‘Business, Not Bullets’ validated by the
Sharks is powerful,’ said Matthew ‘Griff’ Griffin. “It’s not just a
good idea, it’s a legitimate course of action now backed by dominant
players in the fashion, retail, and tech sectors.”
The $300,000 investment from the Sharks will be used for inventory
and to build up Combat Flip Flops’ staff. The three co-founders have,
for the majority of their time in business, been working side jobs.
Investment will allow them to focus 100% on the business and add staff
when needed.
“Combat Flip Flops will be able to book solid, consistent orders with
our manufacturers. This will enable those manufacturers to hire more
staff and have a larger impact in their communities. For the charities,
we will be able to provide steady, substantial support. More Afghan
girls in school, swaths of land cleared of mines, and supporting
positive transitions for SOF veterans,” said Griff.
When asked what, besides the deal, was the most exciting part of
being on Shark Tank, Donald Lee joked, “We’ve heard Kevin talk about his
money being soldiers, going to war, and other military analogies. When
he dropped out, handing him the red chem light was the only logical
thing to do.”
In 2015, Combat Flip Flops’ sales increased 150% over 2014 while the
company donated over 60 years of school to Afghan girls and cleared 1533
square meters of land mines in Laos, keeping kids and villagers safe.
Through its Unarmed Forces, the brand has spread stoke and empowered
mindful consumers to make a difference.